Clare O'Toole, LMFT - Therapist in California

About Clare

Clare O'Toole is a licensed marriage and family therapist with two decades of experience in California. She focuses on practical support for stress, anxiety, depression, career concerns, relationship and family issues, and difficulties like anger, ADHD, and caregiver strain. Clare aims to create a calm, respectful space where people can talk through what's hard and try simple, useful steps forward.

Her approach is collaborative and nonjudgmental. She uses clear tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to spot unhelpful thinking patterns and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people act in line with their values.

Background and approach

She also draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to look at how early bonds shape current relationships. Clare emphasizes slowing down and building small habits that make daily life feel more manageable. She combines practical skills with attention to emotions, helping clients notice patterns and test new ways of relating.

Sessions often include discussion, experiment, and straightforward exercises to try between meetings. With training in trauma-informed care and emotionally focused work, she pays attention to safety and connection during the process. The work is steady and paced to each person’s needs, with room to change focus as circumstances shift.

Therapy is offered through video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. Clare works in English and holds California LMFT license number CA LMFT 105247.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit your life

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on helping people notice what matters to them and take small actions toward those values even when difficult thoughts or feelings appear. It can help with stress, anxiety, depression, and decisions about work or relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It uses clear strategies to test and change unhelpful thinking and to build coping skills for mood, anxiety, and everyday problems.

Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationship patterns influence current connections and communication. It supports work on trust, closeness, and repeated interaction patterns that affect relationships and family life.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. Clare will help figure out which methods feel most useful based on a person's goals, preferences, and what shows up in early sessions. Plans can shift over time as new needs appear.

Online therapy through video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for busy schedules. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions around work or family demands, and try different formats to see what works best for communication and progress.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Clare address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family problems, anger, ADHD, and related concerns such as caregiver stress, attachment issues, and communication problems.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is collaborative and nonjudgmental with a focus on practical tools. Sessions mix discussion, skill practice, and small experiments to try between meetings.

How much experience does she have?

Clare has 20 years of clinical experience working with a range of emotional and relational concerns.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a licensed marriage and family therapist - LMFT - holding California license CA LMFT 105247 and practices from California.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.

How are fees handled for therapy?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are involved in getting started?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 20 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English

Next step

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